Bracket for supporting a channel for cables or the like made of welded wire fabric

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a bracket for supporting a channel for cables or the like, made of welded wire fabric, which is formed from a sheet of metal and comprises a part for supporting the cable channel. First and second members for laterally holding the cable channel are formed in the metal sheet so as to extend upwardly beyond the supporting part, each on one side thereof, and comprise means for fastening by elastic deformation on the sides of the cable channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a bracket for supporting a channel for cables or the like, formed by a succession of chutes made of welded wire fabric, as well as to a device for making such a channel and which comprises this bracket and a chute made of welded wire fabric.

BACKGROUND OF TIE INVENTION

[0002] It is known, for example from document FR-A-2 687 207, to make a cable channel by butt-jointing a plurality of chutes of welded wire fabric, assembled by means of joints. This channel is generally supported either by angle irons or by brackets, which may be fixed directly to the wall or mounted on vertical bars in particular for guiding a plurality of channels above one another. In order to fix the welded wire chutes on the brackets or angle irons, it is known to use bolts or clips, sometimes called “holdfasts”, of which an example will be found in document FR-B1-2 716 242.

[0003] Although such cable channels are fully satisfactory in many respects, Applicants are continually improving them.

[0004] It is a particular object of the present invention to reduce the overall cost of a channel for cables or the like formed by a succession of chutes of welded wire fabric.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To that end, the invention relates to a bracket for supporting a channel for cables or the like formed by a succession of chutes made of a fabric of warp and weft wires welded together, this bracket being formed from a sheet of metal and comprising a part for supporting the cable channel, characterized in that first and second members for laterally holding the cable channel are formed in the sheet of metal so as to extend upwardly beyond the supporting part, each on one side thereof, and comprise means for fastening by elastic deformation on the sides of the cable channel.

[0006] According to other advantageous characteristics of this bracket:

[0007] the means for fastening by elastic deformation comprise two parts curved in two opposite directions, each of these two parts being formed in one of the lateral holding members, in order to receive a warp wire;

[0008] the means for fastening by elastic deformation comprise two grooves, each formed in one of the lateral holding members in order to receive a warp wire, these two grooves being parallel to each other and turned in two opposite directions;

[0009] the sheet of metal comprises two substantially vertical folds which define said supporting part therebetween, and, beyond, first and second opposite flanges which terminate upwardly by the first and second lateral holding members respectively, the first flange further forming a base for fixing the bracket;

[0010] the base is pierced with at least one hole for the passage of a screw for fixing the bracket on a support;

[0011] opposite the hole pierced in the base, the second flange comprises a notch for the passage of a tool directed towards this hole;

[0012] the first lateral holding member is offset, with respect to the base, towards the second lateral holding member;

[0013] the grooves face outwardly of the bracket;

[0014] the grooves face inwardly of the bracket.

[0015] The invention also relates to a device for making a channel for cables or the like, this device comprising at least one bracket and a chute made of welded wire fabric comprising a bottom, first and second sides, weft wires and, welded thereto, first, second and third warp wires forming part of the bottom, the first side and the second side, respectively, characterized in that the bracket is such as defined hereinabove, its lateral holding members being able to be inserted by elastic deformation between the second and third warp wires in order to retain them, the first warp wire in that case bearing on the supporting part.

[0016] The invention also relates to a device for making a channel for cables or the like, this device comprising at least one bracket and a chute made of welded wire fabric comprising a bottom, first and second sides, weft wires and, welded thereto, at least first, second and third warp wires forming part of the bottom, the first side and the second side, respectively, characterized in that the bracket is as defined hereinabove, the second and third warp wires being able to be inserted by elastic deformation between the lateral holding members in order to be retained thereby, the first warp wire in that case bearing on the supporting part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description given by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a bracket according to the invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a device according to the invention comprising a chute made of welded wire fabric, shown partially due to its real length, and, mounted thereon, the bracket of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of the device of FIG. 2, and

[0021]FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 and shows a device according to a variant embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, a bracket 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1 in its position for supporting a channel for cables or the like.

[0023] This bracket 1 is in one piece, obtained by shaping a sheet of metal. Two vertical folds 3 and 4 are formed therein so that the bracket 1 is substantially U-shaped, of which the central part 5, which is trapezoidal, forms a support for a chute 6 of welded wire fabric, visible in FIG. 2 to 4 and intended to rest on the upper edge 7 of this supporting part 5.

[0024] Beyond the folds 3 and 4, a short flange 8 and a long flange 9, opposite each other and in parallel, extend at right angles from the narrow and wide ends respectively of the supporting part 5. The upper portions of these flanges 8 and 9, which project upwardly from the edge 7, form two clips 10 and 11 for laterally holding the chute 6. These substantially parallel clips 10 and 11, which each extend upwardly from one side of the edge 7, define therewith a passage 12 of substantially U-shaped cross-section.

[0025] Two parallel, horizontal grooves 13 and 14, formed at the same height, each in one of the clips 10 and 11, face outwardly with respect to the passage 12.

[0026] The clip 10 is in addition pierced with a circular hole 15 for the passage of the shank of a bolt for fixing an earth cable.

[0027] That portion of the flange 9 located beneath the clip 11 forms a base 16 for fixing the bracket 1 on a support, and it is pierced to that end with a vertically directed oblong slot 17 intended for the passage of the shank of a screw (not shown) for fixing the bracket 1. Opposite the slot 17, the flange 8 comprises a notch 18 for the passage of a tool, such as a screwdriver, in mesh with the head of said screw for fixing the bracket 1.

[0028] The clip 11 is offset with respect to the base 16, in the direction of the clip 10, by means of a shoulder. Once mounted on the bracket 1, the chute 6 is consequently offset away from the wall or the support on which the base 16 is fixed, this facilitating, in particular, the positioning of a cover (not shown) on this chute 6.

[0029] The device 21 of FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a bracket 1 and a chute 6 which is clipped on this bracket 1. Within the meaning of the invention, the term clipping denotes a fastening or fit obtained by deformation then elastic return.

[0030] The chute 6, which is known per se, is formed by metal warp and weft wires welded to form a rigid fabric assembly. The weft wires 22 are substantially in the form of a U whose arms form part of two sides of the chute 6 and whose base forms part of a bottom thereof.

[0031] The warp wires are rectilinear and directed lengthwise of the chute 6. Reference 23 denotes those warp wires which extend along one side of the chute 6, reference 24 those warp wires which extend along the other side of this chute 6, and reference 25 a warp wire extending along the bottom thereof.

[0032] The clips 10 and 11 have been inserted between two warp wires 23 and 24 by elastic deformation of these clips 10 and 11 and/or of these warp wires 23 and 24 respectively received in grooves 13 and 14. They laterally hold the chute that the grooves 13 and 14, which form means for fastening by elastic deformation, prevent from escaping due to the curved part which upwardly terminates each of them.

[0033] The warp wire 25 which in that case rests on the upper edge 7, transmits to the supporting part S most of the weight of the cable channel and its contents (not shown), the grooves 13 and 14 taking up only a small portion of that weight.

[0034] Particularly when the cable channel is intended to receive electric cables, it may be connected to earth by means of a cable 26 of which one end is provided with a terminal 27. The latter is fixed on the bracket 1 by means of a bolt 28 of which the shank is threaded in hole 15.

[0035] The device 121 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a chute 6 and a bracket 101 in accordance with a variant embodiment of the invention. The elements of this bracket 101 are given the references of like elements of the previous embodiment, increased by 100. The grooves 113 and 114 of the bracket 101 still face in two opposite directions, but towards each other and no longer outwardly with respect to the passage 112, as is the case in the embodiment described previously. This time, it is therefore the chute 6 which is clipped between the clips 110 and 111, and not the opposite.

[0036] The invention makes it possible to attain the object mentioned in the preamble. Firstly, it saves on the pieces necessary for fixing the cable channels on the supports of the prior art.

[0037] Moreover, the management and storage costs for the manufacturer, the salesmen and fitters of such fixing pieces, dispensed with thanks to the invention, are also eliminated.

[0038] In addition, it is simple and rapid to fasten the cable channel on the brackets by elastic deformation, thus leading to a reduction in the fitting time, hence further saving.

[0039] Certain additional features also lead to savings. In particular, the shape of the bracket 1 renders it robust, while making it simple, and consequently inexpensive, to manufacture; in addition, little material is required for manufacturing this bracket 1. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Bracket for supporting a channel for cables or the like formed by a succession of chutes made of a fabric of warp and weft wires welded together, this bracket being formed from a sheet of metal and comprising a part for supporting the cable channel, wherein first and second members for laterally holding the cable channel are formed in the sheet of metal so as to extend upwardly beyond the supporting part, each on one side thereof, and comprise means for fastening by elastic deformation on the sides of the cable channel.
 2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the means for fastening by elastic deformation comprise two parts curved in two opposite directions, each of these two parts being formed in one of the lateral holding members, in order to receive a warp wire.
 3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the means for fastening by elastic deformation comprise two grooves, each formed in one of the lateral holding members in order to receive a warp wire, these two grooves being parallel to each other and turned in two opposite directions.
 4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the sheet of metal comprises two substantially vertical folds which define said supporting part therebetween, and, beyond, first and second opposite flanges which terminate upwardly by the first and second lateral holding members respectively, the first flange further forming a base for fixing the bracket.
 5. The bracket of claim 4, wherein the base is pierced with at least one hole for the passage of a screw for fixing the bracket on a support.
 6. The bracket of claim 5, wherein, opposite the hole pierced in the base, the second flange comprises a notch for the passsage of a tool directed towards this hole.
 7. The bracket of claim 4, wherein the first lateral holding member is offset, with respect to the base, towards the second lateral holding member.
 8. The bracket of claim 3, wherein the grooves face outwardly of the bracket.
 9. The bracket of claim 3, wherein the grooves face inwardly of the bracket.
 10. Device for making a channel for cables or the like, this device comprising at least one bracket and a chute made of welded wire fabric comprising a bottom, first and second sides, weft wires and, welded thereto, first, second and third warp wires forming part of the bottom, the first side and the second side, respectively, wherein the bracket is in accordance with claim 1, its lateral holding members being able to be inserted by elastic deformation between the second and third warp wires in order to retain them, the first warp wire in that case bearing on the supporting part.
 11. Device for making a channel for cables or the like, this device comprising at least one bracket and a chute made of welded wire fabric comprising a bottom, first and second sides, weft wires and, welded thereto, at least first, second and third warp wires forming part of the bottom, the first side and the second side, respectively, wherein the bracket is in accordance with claim 1, the second and third warp wires being able to be inserted by elastic deformation between the lateral holding members in order to be retained thereby, the first warp wire in that case bearing on the supporting part. 